Dannell Ellerbe | Linebacker

3/12/2013: Signed a five-year, $34.75 million contract. The deal contains $14 million guaranteed -- a $7 million signing bonus and each of Ellerbe's first two base salaries. Ellerbe is eligible for annual $100,000 workout bonuses throughout the contract's life. 2015: $1.1 million (+ $2.1 million roster bonus), 2016-2017: $4.1 million (+ $1 million roster bonus), 2018: Free Agent

Latest News

Recent News

New Saints MLB Dannell Ellerbe accepted a $7.325 million pay cut after his trade from the Dolphins.

Ellerbe was scheduled to earn $8.425 million in 2015. That figure has been reduced to $1.1 million. It sounds worse than it is, as Ellerbe will still net $4.9 million guaranteed with roster and signing bonuses. The portion of the trade that sent Ellerbe to New Orleans was essentially a salary dump by the Dolphins. Closing in on 30, Ellerbe's best years are behind him. Mar 17 - 10:42 AM

Saints acquired LB Dannell Ellerbe and a 2015 third-round pick from the Dolphins in exchange for WR Kenny Stills.

The third-rounder is much more valuable than Ellerbe, who is way overpaid at $9.85 million and was going to be cut by the Dolphins. The Saints are going to have to try and get him to take a pay cut. Ellerbe figures to slide in as the Saints' middle linebacker, replacing recently-released Curtis Lofton. Mar 13 - 12:56 PM

The Dolphins are trying to trade OLB Dannell Ellerbe and LB Philip Wheeler before the start of the new league year.

That gives them until 4pm ET to hammer out a deal. When Miami inevitably fails in this pursuit, both Ellerbe and Wheeler will be released. The Dolphins gave up a ton to get Ndamukong Suh (they've also released Cortland Finnegan, Nate Garner, Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline), but they're all-in on a generational talent. Mar 10 - 9:42 AM

Saints acquired LB Dannell Ellerbe and a 2015 third-round pick from the Dolphins in exchange for WR Kenny Stills.

The third-rounder is much more valuable than Ellerbe, who is way overpaid at $9.85 million and was going to be cut by the Dolphins. The Saints are going to have to try and get him to take a pay cut. Ellerbe figures to slide in as the Saints' middle linebacker, replacing recently-released Curtis Lofton.

The Dolphins are trying to trade OLB Dannell Ellerbe and LB Philip Wheeler before the start of the new league year.

That gives them until 4pm ET to hammer out a deal. When Miami inevitably fails in this pursuit, both Ellerbe and Wheeler will be released. The Dolphins gave up a ton to get Ndamukong Suh (they've also released Cortland Finnegan, Nate Garner, Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline), but they're all-in on a generational talent.

Ellerbe is expected to be a cap casualty after missing nearly the entire season to a hip injury. The Dolphins would save $8.45 million by releasing him, and leave just $1.4M in dead money. Jelani Jenkins started 14 games last year and is the in-house favorite to return as Miami's weak-side linebacker.

This is more for bookkeeping purposes, as Ellerbe is already done for the season. He says the hip was "messed up pretty good" in Week 1, but he hopes to be ready for OTAs, though Ellerbe won't rush it. A big free-agent bust by ex-GM Jeff Ireland, Ellerbe is a prime candidate to be released in the spring.

Coming off a dismal 2013, the injury figures to end Ellerbe's time with the Dolphins. Handed a five-year, $34.75 million deal in March 2013, Ellerbe was among the worst inside linebackers in the league last season, and demoted out of sub packages this spring. The Dolphins can clear $5.65 million in cap space by cutting Ellerbe next offseason. Kelvin Sheppard is taking his roster spot. The Dolphins have a stout defensive line, but are thin at linebacker.

Dolphins LB Dannell Ellerbe was forced from Miami's Week 1 game against the Patriots with a hip injury, and will not return.

The Dolphins are now missing all three of their starting linebackers, with Ellerbe joining Koa Misi and Philip Wheeler on the sideline. Ellerbe went down early in the first half, but wasn't ruled out until after halftime. It's possible he's avoided major injury.

The Dolphins are using Dannell Ellerbe at outside linebacker during OTAs.

Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler are on the outside, with Koa Misi at Mike. In nickel packages, Wheeler and Misi stay on the field while Ellerbe departs. The Fins are essentially admitting ex-GM Jeff Ireland's $34.75 million mistake on Ellerbe, changing his position and demoting him out of sub-packages. Unfortunately, they can't save salary cap room by cutting Ellerbe until next offseason.

The Miami Herald reports the Dolphins will move MLB Dannell Ellerbe to weak-side linebacker if the team signs a new middle linebacker.

The Dolphins are among the rumored four potential suitors for free agent ILB D'Qwell Jackson, who is expected to pick a team by the end of the week. If moved to the weak side, Ellerbe would be replacing Philip Wheeler. Both were massive free-agent busts in 2013. Wheeler would then compete with Koa Misi on the strong side. Misi is considered Miami's best run defender.

No notable fantasy developments here aside from middle linebacker Ellerbe, who was listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury. The Dolphins will start special teamer Jason Trusnik at Mike 'backer against Buffalo.

Dolphins MLB Dannell Ellerbe (shoulder, doubtful) missed practice again Friday and is not expected to play Sunday against the Bills.

Ellerbe was injured two Monday nights ago ahead of the Dolphins' Week 6 bye. He was hopeful of returning this week. Jason Trusnik will likely draw the start at middle linebacker if Ellerbe can't give it a go.